Union resident celebrates 106 years

“The key to have longevity is to have a strong faith in God and family,” she said. “If you have those two things you may celebrate your 106th birthday like me.”

Chesney was born in 1913 to Jim “Ella” Warren in Neshoba County, and is the oldest of her 12 siblings still living, including her brother, Varnell Warren and two sisters, Lillian Boatner and Louise Reynolds.

Later, she married Dennis Chesney. Together, they had two children, Lavell Chesney and Genell Loper. She also has three grandchildren, eight great grandchildren and eight great great grandchildren.

Chesney is Baptist by faith and remains a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Little Rock. For the past 13 years, she has been a resident of J.G. Alexander Nursing Center in Union.